By Abubakar Idris<\/p>\n
Democracy is built on a strength of a performing government in power and a
\nstrong opposition. The opposition stands as the alternative in case the
\nruling party fails to meet the yearnings and expectations of the
\nelectorates, especially when it fails to deliver on the promises it made
\nduring election campaigns.<\/p>\n
PDP Chairman aspirants<\/p>\n
Democracy is built on a strength of a performing government in power and a
\nstrong opposition. The opposition stands as the alternative in case the
\nruling party fails to meet the yearnings and expectations of the
\nelectorates, especially when it fails to deliver on the promises it made
\nduring election campaigns.<\/p>\n
In Nigeria, since the return of democracy in 1999, the self-styled largest
\nparty in Africa, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP reigned supreme at the
\ncentre and in most states in the country. There was no strong opposition
\nuntil 2014 with the formation of the All Progressives Congress \u2013 an
\namalgamation of small political parties.<\/p>\n
The APC put the PDP on its toes.\u00a0 It offered a virile opposition to the
\nPDP. With the almost never-ending press statements of its then Publicity
\nSecretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, every policies of the government was
\nscrutinised and criticised.<\/p>\n
The APC galvanised the civil society, academicians, professional bodies,
\ntrade and students’ unions and the citizenry to kick against a series of
\ngovernment\u2019s actions and policies that it considered unfavourable, inhuman
\nand anti-people.<\/p>\n
The PDP became jittery, made so many policy somersaults and in most cases,
\nwas forced to issue rejoinders and recants.<\/p>\n
It was little surprise that in less than one year, the party unseated the
\nPDP as the ruling party and took domination of most states in the country.<\/p>\n
However, since PDP lost out in 2015, it has failed to perform the role of
\nthe opposition effectively. It became embroiled in controversies and
\nleadership tussle that almost destroyed the party that has produced three
\ndemocratically elected presidents in Nigeria, more than two-third of
\nfederal lawmakers and governors in the country for 16 years.<\/p>\n
It was as if the party has lost its soul until the Supreme Court came to
\nits rescue.<\/p>\n
As the party makes preparation for its national convention to elect its
\nleaders, especially the national chairman, Nigerians await with keen
\ninterest and pray the party gets it right so that President Muhammadu
\nBuhari-led APC government can come under searchlight and be made to
\nperform better.<\/p>\n
Not less than eight leading chieftains of the party are gunning for the
\napex position. Expectedly, the messages across these contenders seem
\nsimilar- to provide viable opposition capable of unseating the APC in
\n2019. However, the intention and capacity of these individuals are not the
\nsame.<\/p>\n
Who are these men and what are their credentials, antecedents and ability
\nto turn the PDP into a viable alternative party.<\/p>\n
Olujimi Agbaje:
\nAgbaje, a former governorship candidate of the party in 2015 represents a
\nbreath of fresh air in terms of age and branding for the party. If party
\npolitics is all about branding and perception, Agbaje stands tall among
\nother aspirants but the obvious is that he lacks the clout, connection and
\nthe experience to lead a party like the PDP.<\/p>\n
Maybe, he will succeed in leading one of the new parties, but certainly
\nnot a party that has produced presidents, senate presidents, governors and
\nhave in its ranks former Head of states and elder statesmen. What will
\nAgbaje possibly discuss with former military leader, Ibrahim Babangida and
\nother founding members of the party?<\/p>\n
PDP is older than Agbaje in politics. PDP was formed in 1998 but Agbaje
\nemerged in Nigeria’ political calculation sometime in 2003. Agbaje is for
\nthe future.<\/p>\n
Chief Rasheed Ladoja:
\nLadoja is a political guru but he just returned to the PDP months ago. His
\nentrance to the race is good to justify the all-inclusiveness policy of
\nthe party but Ladoja is not the man to lead the party at this time. The
\nformer governor of Oyo state was received with funfair when he dumped the
\nAccord Party for the PDP, but he does not possess the network to win the
\nchairmanship position yet having been away from the party for years.<\/p>\n
Prof Taoheed Adedoja:
\nThe PDP possesses good candidates and Prof. Adedoja is one of them. The
\nformer minister of Sports is a dedicated party man but he lacks the
\nability to be a great mobiliser. PDP needs a mobiliser at this time. The
\nparty needs a rallying point and Adedoja can’t provide that.<\/p>\n
Uche Secondus:
\nSecondus has led the party in acting capacity in the past, immediately
\nafter the ouster of Adamu Mu’azu, so, he is not new to the position. But,
\nit was his sit-tight in acting capacity that was exploited by Barrister
\nAhmad Gulak which paved the way for Senator Ali-Modu Sheriff that threw
\nthe party into a needless and damaging 13-month internal crisis. If he had
\nhandled the party well, hold convention and handed over rightly, PDP will
\nnot be in this mess. Secondus is also seen as the \u2018boy\u2019 to one of the
\nserving governors in the South-South, this is not good for a man that
\nwants to lead a party.<\/p>\n
Raymond Dokpesi:
\nIf anyone has suffered for the party in the hands of the ruling party, the
\nEzomo of Weppa Wanno of Edo State is one of them. He has been attacked and
\ndemonized by the Buhari-led government. But party leadership is not about
\ncompensation. Either real or politically-motivated, the public perception
\nabout Dokpesi will do PDP no good. Although, he has what it takes to lead
\nthe party but PDP cannot afford to take this gamble for now.<\/p>\n
Otunba Gbenga Daniel:
\nOGD, a successful engineer and two-term governor of Ogun state would have
\neasily gotten the job, if not for the many questions hanging around him
\nduring his reign. Otunba made many enemies, even within his party during
\nhis reign. This led him to dump the party and work against its success in
\n2011 at the state level. If Otunba emerges as the chairman, many within
\nthe southwest will leave the party and those hoping to return will rather
\nstay back. PDP needs to extend its umbrella, not close it against its
\nmembers.<\/p>\n
Olabode George:
\nChief George possess the experience needed to run PDP and he is well
\nconnected to the who is who not just in the party but in the country. The
\nformer PDP Deputy National Chairman is one of the candidates to beat.
\nHowever, the emergence of George will defeat the call for new order in PDP
\nas George represents the past that not just party faithfuls but Nigerians
\nwill want to do without. George should provide leadership from behind the
\nscene, he should not be the man at the centre.<\/p>\n
Prof. Tunde Adeniran:
\nA Professor of Political Science and former Minister of Education,
\nAdeniran has remained committed to the PDP since its formation in 1998 and
\nhas worked in so many committees within the party.<\/p>\n
Adeniran is well-connected to all the power blocks in the party and boasts
\na good knowledge of the workings of the party and its core vision, having
\nbeen one of the founding fathers. His major selling point is that with all
\nhis years in both public and private sector services, there is no single
\nallegation against the Ekiti-state born politician. Adeniran will be
\nrespected by the international community and will be safe from
\npolitically-motivated allegation and harassment from the party in power.
\nHe possesses the moral standing to question the Buhari-led government. He
\ncan relate with the founding fathers of the party, reconcile aggrieved
\nmembers, woo defectors, sanction erring members and be appealing to the
\nyounger generation.<\/p>\n
Adeniran is the man that can stabilise the PDP as opposition and project
\nit for the future for fresh brains to take over.<\/p>\n
As a neutral and lover of democracy, it will be interesting for the PDP to
\nget it right at the convention.<\/p>\n
If anything, the party must ensure that the process to elect the leaders
\nof the party is transparent and credible to all and it produces the best
\ncandidate. Otherwise, it will be to the advantage of the APC and to the
\ndisadvantage of Nigerians, who would have been denied credible alternative
\nas the country approaches 2019 elections.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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